Winnetka Schools Chief 'Wary' over PARCC

Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Trisha Kocanda wrote what the Washington Post calls “a warning letter” regarding the PARCC Common Core exam set to be given to students in Illinois in March and May.

The PARCC, administered in 26 states in 2010, is now served in only ten that remain part of an educational consortium. The Winnetka Wire, the school district’s newsletter, indicated this year will be the first it is administered here. It will replace the ISTEP.

Kocanda addressed parents, members of the community and district staff in stating her concern for “the amount of instructional time it will displace, the impact this will have on students and the usefulness of results.”

Concerns in testing time, test format and instructional impact were also discussed by the superintendent.

We recognize the need for assessments and accountability,” Kocanda wrote. “District 36 is committed to complying with State mandates, including the PARCC. However, we believe that this test continues the over-emphasis on standardized assessments as evaluation tools for students and schools.”

Parent informational sessions on the PARCC exam will take place over the next two weeks in Winnetka.

Read more via the Washington Post 

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